Name: Suzanne Harris
Age: 50
Position: Health/human relations teacher
Education: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Pastimes: Carpentry

A Kamehameha Schools teacher for 23 years, Harris educates juniors and seniors on life's expectancies.

The course covers issues regarding parenting, relationships and interaction.

"We prepare students for the future and arm them to make informed decisions," Harris said. "We bring the outside in and teach them how to handle life crisis situations."

Harris was nominated as an outstanding teacher by McDonald's and the Walt Disney Co. She is one of 60 top teachers nationwide nominated for the 1996 award. Winners will be announced in the fall.

A Walt Disney film crew spent some time with Harris and will air a six-minute profile on her next year.

Harris began teaching the course in 1973 when it was called Youth Faces Life. There were nine girls and one boy in her class. Today, it is a yearlong elective course.

"I feel very satisfied that some of these students felt that it was important," she said. "But most of all we created something that is usable."

Kathy Kukea, coordinator of curriculum and instruction, said Harris designs courses to meet the "real needs of the kids."

"And not just provide information," Kukea said, "She involves the kids seeking the information."